The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-16
COL. JOHNSON GETS EXCITED
The Council Committee Asks Him Some
Questions He Doesn't Care to Answer.
He Brings the Interview to an End by Asking
To Be Excused-How the Companys
Charter Has Been Violated.

asking for an investigation OF the alleged viola
tions OF the charter by the street-raiway com
pany was very interesting yesterday afternoon.
Colonel johnson having complained that he was
not being fairly treated in not being permitted a
hearing the committee decided to invite him to
yesterdays meeting. which they did. and he.
with his attorney, III. c. Allen. was present
The Mayor and city attorney had decided that
twelve points III the charter were being violated
by the company, and at Colonel Johnson's sug-
gestion, the charter was considered. section by
section, and the alleged violations
discussed. 1t was evident before
the work had progressed far that
the Mayor, city attorney and the committee
held views widely different from those of Colonel
johnson to what certain sections of the char
ter meant. and that quiet, intelligent discus
sion of the sections was out of the question.
Colonel johnson and Attorney Allen claimed, in
the beginning that there had been no violation
Of any kind, and were evasive in their answers
to the questions OF the Mayor and city attorney.
The Colonel became very much excited several
times, and declared that all the trouble was the
result Of msf epresen tations in the newspapers.
He didn't want to talk while the newspaper
representatives around. and mistaking an
innocent representative of German newspaper
for Journal reporter. asked that he should be
compelled to leave the room.
The first alleged violation Of the charter dis
cussed the laying of T rails. where the
section provides that the most improved style of
rails shall be used. Colonel johnson said the T
vails used had been approved by the Council. and
he objected to the committee reporting in
general way that rails were used. He would
have them specify the streets on which they
were used Mayor Denny then named several
streets in which the rails used. including
North Alabama street, South street and all
suburban lines. Mr.. Johnson insisted that the
people that patronizsd these lines were not
omplainine-tbat it was only the newspapers
II insist that that is not the CASE said Mayor
Denny. 1.-THE people are complaining"
"Mr johnson admitted that the L rails were
used on the lines named by Mayor Denny,
sbut," said he 1.-The Council has approved what
we have done. and there is reason why they
phould raise objections now.
Passing TO another point Mayor Denny stated
chat the charter provided that cars should not
be stopped to opstruct q cross street
I'VE cannot help that" said Mr.. johnson. ut
N no violation of the charter. We stop wherever
1--WE accommodate the people All these
Rhincs matters to be regulated. and are not
violations of the charter"
( 1--WE do not look at it that way" said Mir.
Denny. "This committee has been appointed
ITO see IL you have violated the charter. and we
propose to look that resolution square in the
face. We take up this charter and see you have
not complied with its provisions, and yet you say
these matters to be regulated. What would
you call violationsl'
Colonel johnson did not attemptto answer the
q uestiou. The matter of conductors next
taken up Mayor Denny read clauses g. and
o, ali of which speak of conducto and drivers"
with reference TO the duties of each. Colonel
E1onnson said the sections specified did not
bcu ire conductors and that there was use in
discussing them. The courts he said, had so
Sbeld, and he did not desire to go into any argu-
Wnent of the question.
Mayor Denny said that a legal PROPOSE
ffors. he submitted that the specified sections did
require, both drivers and conductors. The
phrase, AqqlhS conductors and drivers should
diligence etc, could mean nothing else. The
word s'orr as used but once in connection with
the two officers, and then in sense that i'm
Piled both.
Colonel johnson didn't seem to desire to argue
abe question, but had much to say about what
companies in other cities furnish. He said
there was one company in New York that made
and used bob-tail cars. They may furnish
conductors In some small towns wi ere they do
not know better said he, but they don't do it
IN the large cities When there is necessity
we do use conductors. We always have them on
during State fair week"
Attorney Alien gave it as his opinion that the
clauses referred to meant both conductors and
drivers or, in other words, the man the car"
whether he be a conductor or driver.
Mayor Denny called attention to another pro-
vision, which specified that the company should
furnish sufficient men to operate the lines. and
would like TO know IL the company claimed that
one man on a car on the College-avenue, or any
leading line, a sufficient force.
In reply to the question Colonel Johnson said:
aThe cheapest way to operate a road is to
the fare-boxes, and the cheaper we run a the
more can run III we put conductors on we
will have to run fewer cars.
Mayor Denny again remarked that his ques
ton was not answered, but there was no further
attempt to answs it.
City Attorney Taylor thought that the ord;-
nance of 1864 intended that there should be both
drivers and conductors. The new ordinance OF
1876 provides for conductors and drivers in every
clause but one. Ii was the evident intention of
the Council that passed the ordinance to have
conductors on only part of the lines. The clause
have inference to track-layers, the com pauy
had attempted to make believe, but meant men
operating the cars No one would say that there
Is not a sufficient operating force on the Irving
aon and West Washington street lines, but on
the main lines there WAS not.
The opinion did not suit Colonel Johnson and
he again rererred to New York, where there
WERE he said, 1874 one-horse cars, without con-
ductors on a single line in the heart of the city
There is" said he. mo positive demand for
conductors here. You put this and that together
and get an impression that there has to be a
change"
you amended it," said Mr.. Taylor.
las amended it," broke out Colonel John
son in q rage.
"Of course you did" replied Mr.. Taylor
"You asked to have it amended"
when the Council does anything. there liz no
use in going back it," remarked attorney
Allen.
III / was running q street-car line like you
fellows, / would be wanting to make all the
money out of it could" said Mr.. Taylor.
After some further conversation in this spirit,
Mr.. Taylor asked "Who liz to determine
whether not you shall put platforms on carsl"
II will not answer that" said Colonel John
son.
Then you say that the best style of do
not require platforms97
II do most emphatically."
Mr. Denny called attention to the clause that
the Council may by resolution, order new lines
Of tracks laid, and asked why the North Mssis-
sippi track had not been laid in accordance with
a resolution passed by the Council
Colonel johnson said he had told Mr.. Pearson
that the line could not be extended to First
street
Didn't your company" said Mayor Denny,
latter the time had axpired, seud a communica-
ton to the Council asking for more time9"
III sent no such communication have not